I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 34

Checkmate (1)

Arriving at the venue, I found the hall already bustling with nobles.

It was as if every noble of note in Vienna had turned out, creating a massive crowd.

“We have arrived.”

As I entered, guided by the attendants, all eyes immediately turned to me.

Without a doubt, the main attraction of this gathering was the delegation from France, and I, as their leader.

The nobles who caught my eye hovered nearby, eager to strike up a conversation.

Of course, no one was foolish enough to openly display their disdain for my humble background.

They might look down on me in their hearts, but outwardly, they greeted me with smiles—a survival tactic for nobles in the royal court.

As I mingled with them, Terezia finally appeared with her entourage.

After exchanging perfunctory greetings with the nobles, she had someone summon me to her side.

“Is the food to your liking?”

“Yes, there is nothing that is not satisfactory. It truly befits the Holy Roman Empire.”

“Enough with the flattery. Let us speak over there.”

Terezia created a wall with her subordinates to prevent anyone from eavesdropping, then led me to a place far from the banquet hall.

“Is it alright for Your Majesty to leave?”

“Josef will be there in my stead, so it does not matter.”

“It seems His Majesty Josef has regained his strength.”

“Your praise was quite something, wasn’t it? He unexpectedly and actively agreed to change the marriage partner.”

“We had a discussion on the topic of enlightened monarchs, and it seems he took a liking to me then. I am undeserving of such favor.”

Terezia did not pry any further.

Both she and I knew that the issue of Josef was not the most important thing right now.

“Everything you requested has been taken care of. Still, it is quite strange. How did you know about the method that even our people only discovered yesterday?”

“That is confidential information, so I regret that I cannot disclose it. However, rest assured that nothing I do will harm you, Terezia.”

“Indeed. I was relieved when you offered to provide the smallpox vaccine to France under the exact same conditions. It gives me a card to appease the nobles who will undoubtedly throw a fit after tomorrow’s announcement.”

While the French side would welcome my marriage to Marie with open arms, I had to offer a carrot to the Austrian side as well.

Otherwise, the proud nobles of the Holy Roman Empire would rise up like a swarm of bees and sting.

Marrying a Habsburg princess to a French bastard prince would appear as if the Holy Roman Empire was yielding.

“But will that alone be enough to persuade the nobles? There will be quite a few who think they are getting the short end of the stick.”

“Do not worry. Kaunitz has already prepared all the materials to be reported to the citizens. Tomorrow, Vienna will be buzzing with this news. Would you like to see it?”

After reading the draft of the press release, I was genuinely impressed.

Excellent media manipulation.

The empress who loves her people. A wise ruler who made a national decision to change the marriage in order to save the lives of her people. Princess Maria Antonia also wanted this marriage for the sake of the people, and the empress made a difficult decision solely for the sake of her citizens suffering from smallpox…

As expected.

I was amazed by the empress’s skill in using even this crisis to boost her popularity.

In any case, the negotiations were settled with both sides seemingly benefiting on the surface.

I briefly discussed the subsequent schedule with Terezia and returned to the hall.

As soon as I became noticeable again, countless nobles rushed toward me as if they had been waiting.

“Your Highness, congratulations. I hear that smallpox vaccinations are progressing smoothly in Vienna these days?”

“I have heard that His Majesty is very pleased as well. Do you have any plans to expand your business further? Ah, by the way, the business I am involved in is…”

Words flew in from all directions. There were flattery, requests, and even absurd proposals to introduce me to potential marriage partners.

Having experienced this for the third time, I was starting to get a headache.

I mingled with the nobles, filling my stomach with food and wine.

Glancing across the room, I saw Marie surrounded by numerous nobles as well.

“Princess, will you now become the Crown Princess of France?”

“You will make a wonderful queen.”

“My son is currently in France… Ah, my son’s name is…”

Right now, everyone thought she was going to marry Auguste, so they were all barking up the wrong tree [pursuing the wrong person or course].

Our eyes met across the crowd, and she gave me a slight wink.

I smiled back at her and turned away.

Once the official announcement is made, I will be pestered to the point of exhaustion, so there is no need to waste energy already.

After enjoying the banquet until late in the evening, I was met with a barrage of gifts as expected.

“Your Highness, this is said to be the highest grade tea from Qing China [referring to the Qing Dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of China]. Why don’t you try a cup? It has a wonderful aroma.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“Please try this as well. It is said to be a snack enjoyed by the royals here.”

“It’s very delicious and sweet.”

As I sipped the tea given to me by Esterhazy and ate the snacks brought by Vermond, the night deepened.

“Speaking of which, there was also a tribute for Your Highness. It is the finest wine from the Auxerre region that you mentioned wanting to try before. It may feel a bit strange to receive a gift from your home country while in Austria, but I kept it since Your Highness wanted to taste it.”

“The champagne brought by Count Vergennes was also delicious, but I should also taste this out of respect for the person who sent the gift. I wonder if my stomach will explode today.”

“Haha, it would be best if you rested well tomorrow.”

I emptied the wine glass handed to me by Esterhazy and stood up.

“It tastes good. Have a glass if you want some.”

“I have had a bit too much to drink today, so I will gratefully accept Your Highness’s kind gesture. But where are you going at this late hour?”

“Kaunitz said he would arrange a celebration since it is a joyous occasion. It seems they will be enjoying themselves all night, so you all should rest comfortably.”

“Yes. Still, I will have an escort accompany you just in case.”

Esterhazy remained composed and faithful to his duty until the end.

Escorted by him, I left the residence and walked towards my destination with light steps.

※※※

After confirming that Prince Christian had left, he hid his expression so that no one could see it.

He had been quite anxious, to be honest, because if even a small part of the plan leaked, everything would be over.

But that ends today.

He had seen with his own eyes Christian defenselessly drinking the poison.

‘I don’t particularly have any grudges against you, but it can’t be helped. Don’t resent me too much.’

Based on what he had observed, the prince was an exceptionally talented person.

But that was the biggest problem.

If he was a bastard royal with a dirty background, he shouldn’t have been so capable.

If he had just received a noble title and lived idly, this would not have happened.

‘Even so, is there a reason to go this far…? But it is what he told me to do.’

No matter how perfect the plan, assassinating a prince in a foreign country carries a lot of risk.

He had even considered setting up a scapegoat to take the fall if necessary.

But unexpectedly, luck was on his side at the end.

‘To think he would go to meet the Austrian ambassador on his own accord. It has become much easier to pin it on them.’

The amount of poison was precisely measured.

If he drinks all night, he will probably spit out blood and die on the spot.

They will not even have room to make excuses.

If the marriage alliance collapses, it will harm national interests in the short term, but in the long term, it will be more beneficial to eliminate the seeds of division.

That’s right. It’s not just because he was promised enormous benefits.

Everything is for the future of his country, France.

All the efforts he has put in so far will come to fruition tomorrow.

He quenched his thirst with water instead of wine and went to his bed to lie down.

He felt that if he stayed like this, he might stay up all night with excitement.

He had things to do tomorrow, so it would be best to stop celebrating and go to sleep.

The night of victory is so sweet.

He closed his eyes, confident that tomorrow would be an even more wonderful day.

※※※

The next day, the French diplomatic mission felt that something was going strangely.

Christian, who had left to meet with Kaunitz, had not returned even when the sun was high in the sky.

The head of the escort, Esterhazy, sought out Kaunitz, but only received an incomprehensible response that it was difficult to meet him right now.

Naturally, the French dignitaries were in an uproar.

“Is this even reasonable? Our person in charge said he was going to meet your ambassador and hasn’t returned.”

“That’s why we are saying we will check and let you know.”

“What kind of work is done like that! You must allow us to investigate. Do you not know what will happen if something happens to His Highness!”

Even when Charles Gravier rebuked with an agitated voice, the Austrian side did not budge.

“We cannot help it as the order came from above. Please wait a little longer.”

“These people are really… I have never heard of such an inappropriate response in such a situation. Do you not understand the situation? The Prince of France went to meet your ambassador and has disappeared!”

“We know how serious the matter is. Instructions will be issued soon, so until then…”

“That’s why it doesn’t make sense! This is officially a protest…”

The moment Charles Gravier was about to shout, unable to contain his anger.

“Count Vergennes is right. This is not a matter we can quietly wait for.”

A voice as sharp as frost was heard from behind.

Charles reflexively turned around.

From afar, Colonel Esterhazy was leading his subordinates with a threatening gait.

“Colonel! What is going on?”

“Didn’t the Count just say it? Their response is not at all common sense and does not conform to the law. How much do they have to look down on us to act like that?”

The soldiers lined up behind Esterhazy were already in a state of near combat readiness.

They looked ready to fire as soon as the order was given.

“Colonel, isn’t this going too far, even if it is?”

Charles asked, unable to hide his anxiety.

If it turned out that Christian was just sleeping off a bad hangover after all this, it would not end as a joke.

It was too hasty of an action.

“We need to find out the whereabouts of the prince first and then decide whether to act strongly or not. What are you going to do about the aftermath if this is the case? Are you out of your mind?”

“Can’t you tell from their behavior right now? It’s obvious that they are trying to buy time to destroy evidence, so we can’t just let it go.”

As Esterhazy tried to forcefully push his way in, the Austrian side immediately responded.

Soldiers guarding the palace swarmed in and confronted Esterhazy’s soldiers.

In this touch-and-go situation, Charles clutched his head and sighed deeply.

There was no way to avoid a catastrophe no matter what he did now.

It was a problem even if Prince Christian was safe, and if he was not safe, it could escalate into war in the worst case.

Bishop Vermond, who arrived late at the scene, was just watching the situation with a dumbfounded look.

And finally, Kaunitz, who appeared from behind the Austrian soldiers, shouted.

“What is all this commotion!”

It was a powerful voice that would make most people flinch, but Esterhazy scoffed instead.

“Which side caused this commotion, and yet you are raising your voice! Tell us the whereabouts of His Highness right now. His Highness has not returned since he went to meet Ambassador Kaunitz.”

“Are you causing a commotion by even bringing soldiers for such a reason?”

“As the one in charge of His Highness’s personal security, there is nothing more important to me than this.”

“Then shouldn’t you be more careful? The Colonel’s attitude seems to be acting on the premise that Christian is not safe.”

“That’s ridiculous. At least that’s not something the ambassador, who is presumed to be the last person to meet the prince, should say. If you are confident, explain what you talked about with His Highness last night and where he went.”

Esterhazy growled. Kaunitz simply gave a bitter smile without any particular answer.

Charles and Vermond were also beginning to think that something really bad might have happened to Christian.

As Kaunitz could not say anything, Esterhazy’s voice, which had been gaining momentum, gained strength.

He was acting as if he knew this would happen from the beginning.

“What is the reason for not saying anything? Isn’t it because you are not confident?”

“Colonel, think logically. What reason do we have to harm His Highness?”

“No one said that. But it is possible that His Highness had an unforeseen accident. And they may be trying to fabricate evidence in a way that it is not their fault.”

“…”

Unlike Esterhazy, who was confidently pressing the attack, Kaunitz remained silent.

It was clear to anyone that Esterhazy was the one who was confident, and Kaunitz had something to hide.

“The great Kingdom of France cannot be treated like this. I declare here and now! I will thoroughly investigate the truth of this incident and clear the injustice of His Highness Christian!”

It was a desperate cry that seemed to spit out blood.

At this point, even among the Austrian soldiers, there was a slight agitation.

Everyone’s eyes were focused on Kaunitz.

There was unspoken pressure that he really had nothing to say even though the situation was like this.

Kaunitz, who was avoiding the gaze and evading the answer, finally.

“Keuh!”

Let out a sneer as if he could no longer bear it.

Esterhazy, who had been riding the momentum, frowned.

“Is this situation funny?”

Charles Gravier and Bishop Vermond, who were watching the situation, also could not hide their embarrassment.

Everyone in this place was no different.

“I’m sorry for being so unlike myself. Honestly, it’s too funny.”

The moment everyone was wondering about Kaunitz’s attitude, which did not fit the situation at all.

A pleasant applause echoed from behind Kaunitz.

The eyes of the French officials who heard the familiar voice widened.

The person they had been looking for so much, Louis Christian, was walking out of the palace, clapping his hands.

“Your Highness! Are you safe?”

“Why haven’t you returned until now!”

Charles and Vermond shouted almost simultaneously.

If he had shown up on time, this commotion would not have happened.

“Colonel Esterhazy.”

Christian’s voice, which had not yet lost its laughter, focused everyone’s attention on the designated target.

Those with keen eyes immediately noticed that something was wrong.

The designated target was the only one who was showing a reaction that was not relief or worry, unlike the others.

The emotion on his face was clear shock.

“You seem quite flustered. Is it so surprising that I am alright?”

“Ah, no… Your Highness. I… I’m just glad you’re safe…”

“Colonel Esterhazy. You were truly the best clown. I had a very amusing time. Since I watched a funny comedy, I should pay the admission fee.”

Christian, who cut off the words that were trying to make excuses, pointed at Esterhazy with his finger.

“In the name of Louis Christian de France, who has been delegated full authority by the great French King Louis XV, I declare. From this moment on, Valentin Esterhazy is charged with attempted murder of a member of the royal family, and all his authority is revoked.”